Proceedings World Bioenergy 2010

sources varies between 57488 million m³ [4] to around
858,000 million m³ per day [11], cattle size estimates,
and the amount of biogas that can be produced,
However, even though it looks as if Pakistan is all set
to embrace Biomass, it must be remembed that Pakistan
is currently under severe ‘Water Stress’, and is likely to
become a water scarce nation perhaps as soon as 2010
[29]. The issue has been related to Pakistan’s
mismanagement of water resources as well as what is
allegedly regarded as India’s illegal construction of dams
to collect water for itself, which is against the Indus
Water Treaty. Water scarcity will not only have a
devastation impact on crops, where already there is a
‘water schedule’ in place to distribute the limited amount
of water to fields at particular times only [18]. This will
likely have an impact on livestock as well, as water
shortage is leading to the emergence of ‘waste lands’ that
have caused a shortage of fodder for livestock, situation
that will only worsen in the future if nothing is done [1].
In any case, noting the potential for Bio liquid fuels
and Biogas, it seemed logical to attempt business
ventures in these fields. However, even though there
were opportunities in the field, there were may
unforeseen hindrances as well.
4 HINDRANCES TO BIOENERGY VENTURES
Keeping the view that commercialization of Biomass
solutions could create a private industry through
demonstration effects of a profitable model, two
businesses were planned. The intention was to get better
insights into the opportunities presented by Biomass and
how it can be used to resolve the energy crisis.
4.1 Biogas
Biogas has several advantages for communities. Apart
from the health benefits of using dung in such a manner,
it saves time and money, while the left over manure from
the Biogas plant can be a used as an even better fertilizer
than traditional dung [29].
4.1.1 Commercializing Biogas Plants
A simple and cheap fixed dome Biogas plant, was to
be constructed for each home in a village on the outskirts
of Lahore. The location was selected due to the low
levels of penetration by non profit groups that establish
Biogas plants for free. To try out the plan, a household
with 4 Buffaloes was selected and taught how to use the
plant, in terms of loading, cleaning and maintenance.
Although they were skeptical in the beginning,
particularly because as it was expensive, the household
eventually agreed to use it on a lease of 5 years. However
several factors created massive hindrances to the growth
of the idea
4.1.1.1 Micro level Hindrances:
There was alot of suspicion, skepticism and resistance
to the idea of using Biogas. Villagers, often simply did
not accept the fact that burning cow dung in a traditional
manner effects health, or that the waste slurry from the
plant will be a better fertilizer.
Another issue was the price. Although subsidies of
over Rs 17,000 for a BioGas plant are available from the
government, simply getting this subsidy was hectic and
72 world bioenergy 2010
full of red tape [6]. The cost of the system increased
further when it was realized that the household would to
change their cooking utensils and stoves to work with the
new supply of energy.
Biogas often was not enough as there were only 4
buffaloes, to support a large family of six and the
buffaloes themselves were mal-nutritioned. The
uncertainty of supply, was therefore an issue. The
household stopped using Biogas themselves in a few
months, and did not pay.
This experience sheds light on to why not many
private sector companies would not want to join Biogas
initiatives. It is still a relatively new product and there is
not much awareness among consumers about its long
term financial and health benefits, making the market too
uncertain and immature. However the biggest issue
remains the initial price, which remains high for the
average villager. This gets worse when it is learned that
powerful local land owners, who are often politicians, are
not willing to support such small businesses either.
4.1.1.2 Macro- level hindrances
Biogas, although subsidized, has not bee pushed out
to the masses the way it should have been. The biggest
promoter and installer of Biogas systems in Pakistan is
still SNV, a Dutch initiative [29]. Even though there have
been past claims by the government to promote the
concept, not much has been done and villagers still use
cow dung and other traditional fuels. Therefore
government will and support seem to be the biggest
hindrance to the growth of Biogas usage.
There are also social issues, namely resistance to
change, as here a large population would not only have to
change the way they heat themselves or cook their food,
but even change the cooking utensils they use, in order to
adapt to the new system. It is therefore likely to take
some time to catch on. Another problem however is that
there are no formal distribution networks for those who
do not have enough of their own manure, which is likely
for villagers with smaller holdings. All of these would
require heavy government action, and support from
private for and non profit organizations, all of which
have been limited until now.
4.1.2 Commercializing Bio-ethanol fuel:
Most cars in Pakistan are run on Petrol and therefore it
was natural to go for a Bio-ethanol plant with a capacity
of annual production of 1 milion gallons, with the support
from American consultants. Sweet Sorghum was chosen
as the feedstock for several reasons. It can give 2-3 crop
rotations a year and unlike maize, or sugar cane, is not a
major food source. Fuel grade ethanol was initially to be
marketed directly to domestic car owners and businesses
to reduce their cost of fuel who could make their own
ethanol mixtures such as E-10 or E-20. However, even
before the business begun there were several limitations
that stopped its inception.
4.1.2.1 Micro Level hindrances
A major problem was the availability of Sweet
Sorghum. It is usually not sown on a large, commercial
scale anywhere in Pakistan, as it is not used as cattle
fodder or as a food source. Due to little market value
there is just not enough supply for a medium scale
business of the sort. Maize and Sugar Cane could have
been used, but due to the exploitative nature of food